Office of Vocational and Adult
EducationDivision of Adult
Education and Literacy

As a first major step in Education Reform, President
George W. Bush signed HR 1, the No Child Left Behind Act
on January 8, 2002. Through implementation of its four
key principles, this legislation launches sweeping
improvements in elementary and middle schools and lays
the foundation for transforming high schools. In the
coming months, the Administration will reach out to the
adult education field, including a wide range of
constituents including employers, community groups and
faith-based organizations to identify ways to apply the
four principles of No Child Left Behind to expand and
improve provision of adult education services
nationwide.

Community technology centers (CTCs) provide improved
learning outcomes for disadvantaged adults and children
in urban and rural communities through the use of
technology. Many people who visit CTCs do not own
computers and many do not have access at school or work.
(Falling Through The NET, 1999)

Four
Principles of No Child Left Behind

Increasing accountability for results

Focusing on what works

Reducing bureaucracy and increasing flexibility

Empowering learners and parents

What is the Purpose of the CTC
Program?

The purpose of the Community Technology Centers
program is to promote the development of model programs
that demonstrate the educational effectiveness of
technology in urban and rural areas and economically
distressed communities. These Community Technology
Centers provide access to information technology and
related learning services to children and adults. The
CTC program exists to provide more than mere access to
technology. It exists to provide expanded learning
opportunities and to fund model programs demonstrating
the educational effectiveness of technology. This goal
is significant, particularly with the strong emphasis of
the recently enacted No Child Left Behind Act. This
legislation focuses on the President??s commitment to
leave no person behind in improving their educational
skills, including adults with limited basic and English
language skills. The Department is diligently working to
enhance the quality of and access to adult education
programs through improving accountability requirements.
Technology plays an integral role in reaching that
goal.

How Many Grants Have Been Awarded?

Program Years 1999 and
2000:

In September 1999, the U.S.
Department of Education??s Office of Vocational and
Adult Education awarded 40 three-year grants, funding
the creation of more than 100 new community technology
centers. In FY 2000 there were 93 projects funded
creating 288 new CTCs and expanding services at an
additional 166 existing centers. Profiles of funded
projects are available on the program web
site.

The CTC program has an estimated $15 million dollars
available to make approximately 75-80 new awards in
Fiscal Year 2002. They will emphasis expanded access to
technology; measurable objectives; defined learner
outcomes and specific progress data; evidenced-based
practices; and program impact information.

What is the Focus of CTC Program
Activities

CTC Program Activities focus on Workforce Development
and Employment Information Activities; Pre-School and
Family Programs; After-school Activities; and Adult
Education Programs.

Where Can I find Additional Information
About CTCs?

The America Connects
Consortium:

The America Connects
Consortium provides technical assistance and other
services to help new and existing CTCs effectively use
technology to serve their communities as well as create
strong, sustainable operations. Consortium partners
include: CompuMentor, the Alliance for Technology
Access, Education Development Center, Inc, CTCNet,
Information Technology Association of America, Alliance
for Nonprofit Management, and the National Alliance of
Business. For more information visit them at America
Connects.